{"id":13885,"date":"2026-04-03T16:10:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T16:10:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=13885"},"modified":"2026-04-08T14:07:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T14:07:29","slug":"do-amex-points-expire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/amex-membership-rewards\/do-amex-points-expire\/","title":{"rendered":"American Express Membership Rewards Expiration Policy: 7 Ways You Could Forfeit Points"},"content":{"rendered":"

American Express Membership Rewards points don't expire due to inactivity. However, there are seven ways that you could lose some or all of your Membership Rewards points.<\/strong><\/p>\n

American Express is one of the oldest financial services providers in the US. Founded in 1850, the company is the largest global card networks behind China UnionPay, Visa, and Mastercard. The company and its points currency “Membership Rewards”\u00a0 is one of the oldest flexible points currencies around. Over the years, the program has built a long list of valuable Amex transfer partners<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Considering the value of American Express Membership Rewards points<\/a>, many members may wonder whether Amex points expire. Here's the full American Express expiration policy, including how you can lose some or all of your Membership Reards points.<\/p>\n

Do Amex Points Expire?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Generally, Amex points do not expire. This is excellent news, as it lets you earn points toward your travel goals without worrying about your Membership Rewards points expiring due to inactivity or having a limited lifespan. However, per the Amex FAQs page<\/a>, you can forfeit your Amex Membership Rewards points in certain circumstances.<\/p>\n

\u201cMembership Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> points have no expiration date. However, points may be forfeited as described in the program Terms and Conditions.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Track your points and miles expiration for 600+ loyalty programs and get email alerts before your miles expire by signing up for a free AwardWallet account<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Credit: American Express<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

American Express Points Don't Expire, But You Can Still Lose Them<\/span><\/h2>\n

Although American Express points don't expire, you can forfeit them in several ways:<\/p>\n

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  1. Closing your Membership Rewards account:<\/strong> If you cancel your Membership Rewards-earning card, you have 30 days to use your points before they disappear.<\/li>\n
  2. Making late payments:<\/strong> You must make on-time payments. Late payments may result in the forfeiture of all points earned during that billing period. After making your payment, you can pay a $35 fee to reinstate the points from that billing period.<\/li>\n
  3. Returning items purchased with your card:<\/strong> You receive a statement credit, and Amex will debit the points you earned from your Membership Rewards account.<\/li>\n
  4. If you engage in or attempt to abuse, misuse, or game Membership Rewards:<\/strong> Abusing your account can result in account closure and forfeiture of all of your points.<\/li>\n
  5. Suspension of your corporate card:<\/strong> If your Membership Rewards card is a corporate card and it's suspended, you will lose the ability to earn and use the points in your account.<\/li>\n
  6. A negative points balance:<\/strong> If you have a negative points balance, any newly earned points will be applied to the existing negative balance first.<\/li>\n
  7. Canceling your card account:<\/strong> There are several scenarios where a card account could be canceled, both voluntarily or involuntarily. The terms fully cover these scenarios, including the loss of points upon your death. Since the value of the points in the account can be significant, American Express has a procedure<\/a> for one of your family members or beneficiaries to take over your account and restore the points balance.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    So, although Amex points don't expire, there are still several ways you can lose your Membership Rewards points.<\/p>\n

    Related: What Happens to Bank Rewards Points When You Die?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

    How To Earn Amex Points<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Since American Express Membership Rewards points don't expire from inactivity, you can confidently build up your rewards stash. You can earn American Express Membership Rewards points<\/a> with consumer credit cards like these:<\/p>\n